Carpenter's background is much like that of other competitors, but with a flair for fun and excitement that brings electricity to her presence on stage.

"I have always been a very active individual starting at a young age with competitive gymnastics. I went on to compete in college for Ohio State University, and when I graduated, I wasn't quite ready to be done yet.

"A friend suggested I try fitness competitions. As soon as I hit the stage for the routine round, I loved it! I teamed up later with Mike Davies who completely transformed my body symmetry, eating habits, training regimen, and the rest is history!"

However, enthusiasm alone can only take you so far.

"The biggest challenge for me is that I'm still somewhat new, so my face hasn't been out there as much and the judges don't know me as well. I've got a lot of shows lined up for this next season, so that should change soon. I'm also not as familiar with what the judges are looking for. I rely a lot on Mike to give me direction as to what they want to see. In gymnastics the judges didn't care how your hair looked, or what color you had on. In Fitness, everything must be perfect right down to the color suit you choose to step on stage in.

Carpenter will have a lot of chances to put her face in front of the judges and attempt to figure out what they are looking for, with a full schedule of competitions, and numerous appearances in the magazines, including the April 2000 issue of Ironman magazine.

"At this point in time, I am planning for the NPC Junior USA's, NPC USA's, NPC Nationals, NPC Team Universe, NPC Pittsburgh Invitational, & The Mike Francois Classic. My plans for this year are to compete well in all of my competitons, have fun, and depending on how well I do, go pro! Beyond that, I'm just along for the ride and will go as far as it takes me!"

Those goals all fit well with Carpenter's outlook on the sport and her life in general. While many competitors take competition seriously, some take it too far.

My goals are to have fun, and stay fit! When competing becomes no longer fun for me, I will probably try something different. I am having the time of my life with it now meeting all kinds of people, competing, and challenging myself every day. I would like to go pro, but for now I'm just taking it one step at a time and trying not to get ahead of myself. I know I have to work hard to get there!

And to compliment that hard work, there has to be another side to keep things in balance.

"I am definitely a partier by nature, so when I am dieting for shows I stay away from the night life!!! It's too tempting! My fiancee does a good job of keeping the beer and liquor out of the house when I'm in serious training, but when I'm in off season,...well, that's a different story. During training I usually go to a lot of movies, spend time with family and if I do go out, I make sure I have my jug of water."

So what does a party girl do before she starts the intense rigors of preparing for a show? Perhaps a final blowout to get it all out of her system?

"Cancun, Mexico was my last hoorah before getting serious with my diet, so I definitely partied it up! It's crazy there! You walk into a bar, and they grab your head, and pour tequila down your throat! As far as really big news goes - my boyfriend, now fiancee - proposed to me the first night we were there! It was awesome and I couldn't be happier because he is extremely supportive of my fitness and helps me with my dieting and training."

In Swingers, Trent and Mike are in a Vegas casino and "T" introduces Mike as the "man behind the man." For many fitness and bodybuilding athletes in Ohio, that guy is Mike Davies.

According to Carpenter, "Mike Davies, is the best! He works 16 hr. days training all kinds of people from all walks of life. He gives nothing but 110% to his clients and it shows because he has changed a lot of lives for hundreds of people. He is very strict with his fitness competitors, but that's only because he wants us to be successful and it must work because he's already turned out two IFBB Pro competitors, Jenny Hendershott, and IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Gayle Moher who are both competing in The Arnold Classic.

"I love training with Mike because he knows what works to get results and he makes training fun and challenging every time I go in the gym. He currently trains around 13 up & coming fitness competitors with more on the way, so you could say he has his hands full!"

My close friends and family think what I do is great! They really appreciate the hard work I put in and are very supportive of me.

I'd like to thank Mike Davies (trainer), Jenny Hendershott (choreographer & friend), Larry Fox (sponsor), Kris Peterson (fiancee), and my family for their help, guidance and support!